New images released in search for missing Fife man Corrie McKeague

Police have released CCTV images of potential witnesses in the search for a missing RAF serviceman.

Corrie McKeague, 23, was last seen in the early hours of September 24 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. He was reported missing when he failed to turn up at his base, RAF Honington, 10 miles from the town.

The CCTV images are of people police are trying to identify who were in Bury St Edmunds town centre between 3.15am and 5.20am.

Detective Superintendent Katie Elliott said: It is important that we identify everyone who was in the area in the early hours of Saturday September 24, as someone could, unknowingly, hold a clue that can help us find Corrie.''

Mr McKeague's mother Nicola Urquhart, from Dunfermline in Fife, said on Tuesday that she has no faith'' police will find her son, and she voiced concerns over the resources at the Suffolk force. A crowdfunding campaign to hire a private investigator to search for her son exceeded its £20,000 target in less than two days.

The JustGiving page was set up by Cheryl Hickman, who runs the Suffolk hotel where Mrs Urquhart has been staying since her son went missing.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Louisa Pepper said she has absolute confidence'' in her team, and she insisted similar resources are being put into the search as would be used for a murder investigation.

The fundraising page says donations will be used to fund the appointment of a private investigator and a data analyst to go through the information gathered.

Mr McKeague's grandparents had earlier pledged a five-figure reward'' for information leading to his safe return.

Detective Superintendent Katie Elliott is appealing for those pictured to come forward:“Officers have trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV images and then carried out considerable work to identify everyone who was in the area around the time that Corrie disappeared. As you’ll see from the images, some are of better quality than others, but it is important that we identify everyone who was in the area in the early hours of Saturday 24 September, as someone could, unknowingly, hold a clue that can help us find Corrie. It should be stressed that these are just potential witnesses and it’s possible they may not be aware that they may be able to assist but we are trying to rule out possibilities and therefore we do need to speak to you.

“It has been a painstaking process first to go through the footage – hundreds of hours worth - and then to identify those in the area. All the work we have done is being checked and re-checked and this remains a complex enquiry, which we continue to work on to progress so we can find Corrie and give his family the answers they need.”

With regards to the ongoing investigation Detective Superintendent Katie Elliot said;

“Finding Corrie remains a priority for Suffolk Police. We are continuing to investigate his disappearance and our focus remains on locating him and discovering what happened.

“Since he was reported missing thousands of hours of police time have been spent on carrying out hundreds of enquiries, including searches, comprehensive analysis of CCTV footage, and background work to see if any other factors may have been involved in his disappearance.

“Suffolk Police have been supported by a range of other organisations and agencies – including the RAF and Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue - to carry out this work and to review everything that has been done to try to ensure nothing has been missed. A number of experts external to Suffolk Constabulary have gone over the case and the work that has been done by Suffolk officers and specialists to ensure all possibilities are fully investigated.

“This remains an ongoing process. The detailed work done around CCTV alone has seen repeated viewings to see if Corrie can be spotted in any further images, to see who was in the area at the time and to track everyone there through the town. Extensive work has then been done to identify all those individuals, to trace them and talk to them.

“A large area in Bury St Edmunds and surrounding areas has been searched and a considerable amount of work has been carried out behind the scenes. This is a complex and comprehensive investigation, and police officers are carefully and closely examining all possibilities.

“We want to find Corrie and we have committed time, resources and effort to do this. The resources needed are reviewed by a chief officer on a weekly basis who will draw in the necessary staff according to the needs of the investigation.

“Our work will continue and we would like to thank all of those who have provided support and assistance to date.

“We would ask anyone with information that may help this investigation to call the incident room on 01473 782019 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555 111.”

• Local News